MDF Factory Faces Huge Fines After Workers Injured in Accidents
A Scottish chipboard factory admits safety failings after two workers suffered serious injuries in separate incidents within six months
Cowie, Scotland, West Fraser, Industrial Accidents, Health and Safety
Cowie: A Scottish chipboard factory is in hot water after some serious accidents. West Fraser, the company behind the plant, has admitted to safety failings that led to two workers getting hurt badly.
One worker, just 29, got his leg caught in some machinery while trying to fix a blockage. He ended up with severe injuries and has been struggling ever since. The other incident involved a 39-year-old scaffolder who fell over 13 feet when a rusty plate gave way. Ouch!
This factory has been around for over 50 years and is a big employer in the area. It was the first in the UK to make MDF, which is pretty common in furniture and construction. Now, it’s owned by a Canadian company.
In court, it was revealed that the utility operator didn’t turn off the power before entering the bunker where the accident happened. He had to call for help from inside the bunker after getting hurt. Talk about a tough situation!
The scaffolder was also in a bad spot. He was just doing his job when the floor plate gave way, leading to a serious fall. He ended up with multiple fractures and a collapsed lung. That’s a lot to deal with!
After these incidents, the company has made some changes, like adding safety guards and improving maintenance. But this isn’t the first time they’ve faced trouble; they were fined £2.15 million back in 2020 for another serious incident.
The court will decide on the fines for these latest accidents soon. It’s a tough reminder that safety should always come first in the workplace.